LOCKOUT 2004: Leafs Robbed of Chance to Lose Cup Again?

If the National Hockey League lockout continues as predicted, the Toronto Maple
Leafs could very well be deprived of yet another chance to not win the Stanley
Cup next spring.

"Not winning the cup is a springtime tradition here," said Toronto
restaurant owner, Leonardo DeCarlos, whose business is a mere 67 blocks from
the Air Canada Centre. "I mean, what are people gonna talk about next April
without the Leafs getting knocked out in the first or second round?"

"Our orders have dropped way down. We've had to lay off 200 employees,"
said Nigel Yarsborough, President of Delusional Cup Replica International, Toronto's
biggest manufacturer of imitation tinfoil Stanley Cups. "The owners and
players don't realize the impact their little disagreement has on businesses
like ours."

Leafs General Manager John Ferguson Jr. also expressed his concerns about a
lingering labour disruption.

"With the mandatory retirement age in Ontario still at 65, this lockout
might cause us to lose many of our players to retirement...homes," said
Ferguson, who is younger than all but three players on his team. "Here's
hoping (Ontario) Premier McGuinty gets that legislation [scrapping mandatory
retirement] passed quickly."